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TOKYO, March 31- Asian purchases of Iranian crude fell by a quarter in February from a year ago, led by big drops in India and South Korea, although the future of Tehran's oil exports remains murky as it and six world powers race to reach a preliminary nuclear deal. Imports by Iran's four biggest buyers- China, India, Japan and South Korea- though down on-year, bounced...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— Saudi Arabia has undertaken several initiatives to attract foreign capital outside of its oil and gas sector, the deputy governor of the kingdom's investment authority said Monday. Prince Saud spoke to The Associated Press on the sidelines of the fifth Annual Investment Meeting held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

*Success would establish Riyadh as leader of Sunni states. RIYADH, March 27- Saudi Arabia's campaign to stop the Houthis from ruling over Yemen could define its role in the Middle East for years and shape its regional struggle with the rebels' ally Iran. Success would establish Riyadh as de facto leader of the region's Sunni states it has pulled together in a...

*Iran denounces strikes, Russia calls for "immediate ceasefire". NEW YORK, March 26- Oil jumped about 5 percent on Thursday, the biggest daily gain in a month, as air strikes in Yemen by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies sparked fears that escalation of the Middle East battle could disrupt world crude supplies. The Saudi military operation against the Iran- backed...

*Iran denounces strikes, Russia calls for "immediate ceasefire". NEW YORK, March 26- Oil jumped about 5 percent on Thursday, rallying a second straight day, after air strikes in Yemen by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies sparked fears of a bigger Middle East battle that could disrupt world crude supplies. Pakistan, a Riyadh ally far away from the conflict, promised a "...